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Sheikh Mohammed celebrates 50 years of leadership

Dubai Ruler praised for 'lifting the ceiling of ambitions' and 'investing in people'

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

By Lubna Hamdan

Mon 31 Dec 2018 10:22 AM

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is celebrating 50 years in leadership, which begun on November 1, 1968, when he was appointed head of Dubai Police and Public Security.

Three years later, Sheikh Mohammad rose to the ranks of UAE Minister of Defence, a position he continues to hold today.

For more than a decade, he served as Crown Prince of Dubai from January 1995 until January 2006.

His accession as Ruler of Dubai came on January 4, 2006, following the death of his brother Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He was later made Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, making a name for himself by implementing a number of reforms in the UAE government, including the UAE Federal Government Strategy which he introduced in April 2007.

In 2010, he launched the UAE Vision 2021, which aims to turn the UAE into one of the world’s best countries.

Celebrating the occasion, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, dedicated Fifty Years of Pride on social media thanking the Dubai Ruler for “lifting the ceiling of ambitions” and “investing in people.”

“A lot has changed around you during these 50 years, Abu Rashid, but what hasn’t changed is your devotion, care and love for your nation,” said the Crown Prince, thanking him for becoming a role model for leadership.

Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, also thanked Sheikh Mohammed for turning the UAE into an “oasis of security, prosperity and stability.”

Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, called Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid an inspirational leader who dedicated his life to placing the UAE at “the forefront of the world’s most advanced nations.”